Cache prefetch during motion estimation

A method for cache prefetch during a motion estimation, comprising the steps of:

• (A) buffering in a cache a first subset of a plurality of reference samples of a reference picture to facilitate said motion estimation of a current block, wherein a first search pattern used in said motion estimation defines a plurality of motion vectors to test;
• (B) calculating a plurality of scores of said motion vectors by a block comparison of said reference samples to said current block according to said first search pattern;
• and
• (C) prefetching a second subset of said reference samples to said cache while said first search pattern is being tested, wherein (i) said reference samples of said second subset are utilized by a second search pattern in said motion estimation of said current block and (ii) said prefetching of said second subset is based on a geometry of said first search pattern and said scores of said motion vectors already tested.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for buffering a first subset of a plurality of reference samples of a reference picture to facilitate a motion estimation of a current block, wherein a first search pattern used in said motion estimation defines a plurality of motion vectors to test;
• means for calculating a plurality of scores of said motion vectors by a block comparison of said reference samples to said current block according to said first search pattern;
• and
• means for prefetching a second subset of said reference samples to said means for buffering while said first search pattern is being tested, wherein (i) said reference samples of said second subset are utilized by a second search pattern in said motion estimation of said current block and (ii) said prefetching of said second subset is based on a geometry of said first search pattern and said scores of said motion vectors already tested.